Quote of the Month

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

There are hunters. There are the hunted. Sometimes the roles are reversed; the hunted becoming hunters. It is about survival in the kingdom of animal. With this being said, there are stories about predators not behaving instinctively. They, for reasons we cannot completely understand, do not harm those they would normally consume. They might even assume the role of nurturer.

There are also those hunters who are rarely, if ever, hunted. In his newest title, Apex Predators: The World's Deadliest Hunters, Past And Present (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, June 6, 2017) Steve Jenkins presents portraits of some of the most fearsome creatures to have inhabited this planet. They are, in a word, terrifying.

Predators are animals that kill and eat other animals. The first predator lived in the sea about 600 million years ago.
Over time, from then until now, predators have adapted as prey adapted. As protections for the hunted increased hunters honed their skills and physical characteristics shifted. This is how apex predators in their respective habitats evolved. We are introduced to twenty-four of those hunters. We begin with the top members from today and yesterday, the Siberian tiger and the Tyrannosaurus rex. Can you imagine a creature large and strong enough to

bite off 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of flesh with one snap of its jaws?
Six modern day predators begin the narrative, alternating with one on land and the other, on the opposite page, living in the sea. The first is ten feet long, as the largest lizard and the second is twenty feet long with multiple rows of teeth numbering in the hundreds and thousands over a lifetime. Living on the continent of Africa, these pack animals, although smaller than other predators, get their status as deadly killers from hunting in greater numbers.

In case you might be swimming in a river or stream in tropical South America someday, beware of a shocking resident. The fossa only lives on the island of Madagascar. Its climbing abilities give it a distinct advantage. Prey are no match for the largest freshwater fish. Can you name it?

The remaining sixteen animals are extinct. They are listed in chronological order beginning with the most recent member that left this planet 11,000 years ago. This giant short-faced bear stood at twelve feet tall. Next in line is the terror bird rising up at ten feet tall. It did not fly but

could run as fast as a horse.
Did you know there was a saber-tooth that had a pouch like other marsupials? How about a bird with a wing span of twenty-three feet that gulped prey whole? Can you fathom a snake that was forty-eight feet long and

weighed more than one ton?

As each extinct predator is named you can't help but wonder how anything else survived. As we keep going back in time, the animals named end with an Anomalocaris, "strange shrimp".
At this time animals had not begun to live on land. The text closes with suggestions of matches between present day predators and those from the past. Who would win? Jenkins does include a final paragraph at the end naming the deadliest apex predator to have ever lived. He states his reasons for this statement.

As in his previous titles Steve Jenkins has a knack for including fascinating creatures and facts sure to intrigue readers. When the first thing readers read about a past predator is that it was ten feet tall and as swift as a horse, Jenkins has your attention. His choice to begin with the two greatest predators then and now, followed by those alive today and then taking those extinct and placing them in chronological order is an excellent technique for pacing his narrative.

For each creature we are given an overview as short as a single sentence or as long as four sentences. At the bottom of each page in a smaller font, almost like a conversational aside, more facts are revealed. Here is a sample passage.

Sea MonsterDuring the age of the dinosaurs, the seas were ruled by theMosasaurs (moh-suh-sawrs) --- enormous predatory reptiles. One of the largest was Tylosaurus (ty-lo-sahr-us). Its formidable jaws were ten feet (3 meters) long, and it ate just about anything it wanted to, including other marine reptiles, fish, and dinosaurs that ventured into the water.
Two things flash through this reader's mind looking at the unfolded matching dust jacket and book case. The first is I am so thankful this predator on the front, the right, is no longer living among us. (Do you think its prey run as fast as it could to get away, froze in fear or died on the spot?) The second thing is, not for the first time, I wonder how Steve Jenkins can make his animals look as if they are ready to jump off the paper or pages. (On the dust jacket every element is raised.)

To the left, on the back, three other predators are featured. Their heads and upper bodies are extending from the left edge and spine. The text gives us a little bit of information about each of them. The bold red canvas from the jacket and case is used for the opening and closing endpapers. On the title page, on a yellow background, two predators, from the present and past, appear above and frame the text.

Throughout the body of the book a crisp white background provides the best way to showcase the torn-and-cut-paper collage used to make these pictures. You can't look at these and not be amazed at the detail and animation present in them. Each animal is a study in their stunning physical characteristics. Jenkins may choose to show us only the head or the entire body. In the bottom corner of each page a comparison is made with the size of the animal and the size of an average human being. The animal's size is given in feet and meters.

One of the most frightening of the illustrations is the first picture included with the introduction. It is a close-up of the terror bird (now extinct). We are shown only the head and a portion of the neck. The feathers look as though a wind recently ruffled them. The eye is piercing with a spark-of-life light. The beak is downright treacherous. Jenkins does include the bird again so we can view the entire body, ten feet tall.

Readers who crave nonfiction will pass this book, person to person, never giving it a minute on bookshelves. Apex Predators: The World's Deadliest Hunters, Past And Present written and illustrated by Steven Jenkins is captivating from beginning to end. You will want to have it on your professional bookshelves. I would be willing to predict readers who don't normally read nonfiction will have a hard time resisting this title. If you are a fan of Steve Jenkins' work, you'll want a copy for home too. At the close of the book a bibliography of books and websites is shown.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

There are those individuals with hearts so full of compassion they will do anything at any time to come to the assistance of another. They easily place themselves in the position of the being in dire straits. All thoughts of their own welfare vanish. They are the definition of a friend in need is a friend indeed.
If in the course of providing help an adventure should ensue, these individuals will greet every obstacle with unwavering confidence and courage. In their collaboration Special Delivery(A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, March 3, 2015) author Philip C. Stead and illustrator Matthew Cordell introduced us to such a person. Her name is Sadie.

This gal, who will go the extra mile, literally miles and miles, returns in The Only Fish In The Sea (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, August 15, 2017). Nothing will deter her from her goal. Nothing.

"Hey, Sadie! Did you hear about Little Amy Scott?"

Our story opens with Sadie's friend, Sherman, riding his bicycle as fast as his legs will work. He yells out to her about Amy Scott's birthday present fiasco. Amy Scott takes her gift of a goldfish, which she says is boring, still in the plastic bag and throws it off the end of the dock into the sea.

Sadie agrees with Sherman about this being a complete misfortune for the tiny creature. In fact, she thinks it's terrible. Why would anyone put a goldfish's life in jeopardy? There is only one thing to do. Rescue it.

With determination Sadie informs Sherman that Ellsworth (She names the goldfish because that's the kind of human being Sadie is.) will be saved. There are items to be procured for this effort. You won't believe why Sadie needs twenty-one pink balloons but as noted previously Sadie is a thoughtful, kind soul. Although at one point a statement she makes has Sherman worried about the future of the goldfish after it's located.

Sadie and Sherman and six monkeys (Those monkeys from the first book have relocated to Sadie and Sherman's community.) set off across the sea with the monkeys rowing and the friends sipping tea. It is, of course, raining. As the wind picks up, sea creatures begin to circle the boat.

On the crest of a wild wave victory is in sight. One of the passengers simultaneously notices another resident rise from the deep dark waters. The fate of the rescue rests in the hands of this gallant gal, her friend and the boat's crew. Back in the center of the village, townsfolk gather in a show of affection. And what of Little Amy Scott you ask? You'll have to read the book, dear reader.

To have Philip C. Steadbring back a protagonist and her cast of characters is cause for celebration. As in the previous title dialogue opens before the title page in the form of Sherman trying to get Sadie's attention. You can feel the gentle tension and excitement already starting to build with this technique.

Sadie, true to her personality as created by Stead, is ready to do whatever it takes to save that goldfish. This time she carefully plans and stocks the proper gear for success, although the reader is constantly surprised by those items and their significance. Told entirely in dialogue, the meticulous selection of text gives us the soul of the story; a life and death situation, others trying to avert disaster, urgency, comedy and ultimately profound kindness and justice. Here is a sample passage.

"In the meantime, we'll have tea. Patience, Sherman, is the most important part of fishing."
When you look at the opened dust jacket your eyes are first drawn to the right, the front. Set in a scrolled, glided frame, this moment conveys the height of the adventure. Sadie stands stalwart holding her cup of tea, Sherman has the net at the ready, the monkeys are in various stages of rowing. Two are completely unaware of the danger wrapping itself around them. One is totally frightened. A fourth monkey has spied something in the distance. You can almost hear the scream of the wind and the crash of the waves and feel the rain on your face.

To the left, on the back, those crazy monkeys are painting the very picture we have just seen. Two are at the easel, one is screaming aloud, another is taking a picture, one is stirring paint in a can and the final monkey is painting the hat of the stirring-paint monkey. In other words, it's mayhem. Sherman and Sadie stand back and watch. This is on a white canvas. In this image, as in all the illustrations in this book, Matthew Cordell is a master with details. Sadie is carrying her helmet, sipping a cup of tea.

While I received an F & G at NerdCampMI, I wanted to wait to talk about this book until the release date today because I knew the book case would be amazing. And it is. The background is a map, one of the maps used to find the goldfish. Pencils, rulers, compasses and protractors are placed amid snapshots taken before, during and after the adventure. Almost all of them are a close perspective. The opening and closing endpapers are different in color which is significant, a sage green and pink.

Having the dialogue and Cordell's illustrations bring the reader to the title page is superb. It leads us into the reappearance of the monkeys, who are never actually mentioned in the text but play a huge role in the pictures. When we see them on the title page, they are playing instruments in the town square on and near a fountain. Bananas are everywhere, thrown to them for their music. This is important because as Sadie and Sherman prepare for the trip, the monkeys make payments for everything in bananas in the visuals.

You will stop at every page to look at all the elements placed there by Cordell. You want to see what the monkeys are doing. (You will be laughing nonstop.) You want to notice the expressions on Sadie's and Sherman's faces. You don't want to miss the items included from the previous title. Most of Cordell's illustrations span two pages but he uses single pages to showcase the pacing.

It is nearly impossible to select a single favorite illustration from many but when they first start to save the goldfish is certainly one of them. To the left one of the monkeys (They are all dressed in sailor outfits with the hats.) is running frantically across the sand, left behind. He has dropped a paint can and a balloon is drifting away. The rain is starting to fall harder. To the right the boat is heading out to sea. Sadie is talking to Sherman as she rows. Two monkeys are shouting at the third running on shore. Another monkey is rowing. Another is using binoculars. At the front of the boat a monkey searches the sea with a spyglass. The crow watches. The fishing poles are being used for one of several surprises. Sherman's hat has blown off in a gust of wind.

No matter how many times you read this title you will begin and end it with a smile on your face. You will burst out laughing more than once. Like the companion book, The Only Fish In The Sea written by Philip C. Stead with illustrations by Matthew Cordell highlights a character you can't help but admire. Her steadfast friend and the wild monkeys make this book one you will want to own for your professional and personal bookshelves. We can never have too many characters who have kindness direct their lives and fuel their bravery.

To discover more about Philip C. Stead and Matthew Cordell and their other work, please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names. Here is another link to information about Philip C. Stead. At the publisher's website you can view interior illustrations. This book is mentioned in a post by author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. The cover reveal was hosted by teacher librarian Matthew C. Winner at All The Wonderswith a conversation. Philip C. Stead and Matthew Cordell chat at Publishers Weekly KidsCastabout this book.

Monday, August 14, 2017

On March 1, 2016 Dario and the Whaledebut picture book by author Cheryl Lawton Malone with illustrations by Bistra Masseva was featured here. At the close of a question and answer conversation with Cheryl it was revealed another book similar in theme to Dario and the Whale was being written. I am honored and excited today to be revealing the cover for Elephants Walk Together created by the collaborative team of author Cheryl Lawton Malone and illustrator Bistra Masseva and published by Albert Whitman & Company. Both Cheryl and Bistra have agreed to answers questions about this new title prior to and after the reveal.

It’s indeed a pleasure to have you both back at Librarian’s Quest.

Are the elephants in this book based on a true story? If so, how did it come to your attention, Cheryl?

Cheryl:Yes, that’s the part I love the most. ELEPHANTS WALK TOGETHER is inspired by the amazing lives of two real Asian elephants named Wanda and Gypsy. Like the majority of elephants in captivity today, Wanda and Gypsy were captured in the wild. At some point they were sold to the same circus. Film clips show them performing together. Their story turns extraordinary, when, after decades of separation, they reconnect at the Performing Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) elephant refuge in San Andreas, California. In real life, as in my story, they spend their remaining days walking side by side. Wanda died in 2015 from complications related to chronic captivity. To date, Gypsy is still roaming the reserve with her other elephant friends. I first heard about Wanda and Gypsy when my agent, Clelia Gore at Martin Literary Agency, asked me to watch an HBO documentary titled An Apology To Elephants. Wanda and Gypsy are featured in the film. The elephants’ historical facts and video are also published on the PAWS website. Clelia believed the plight of captive elephants could be brought to children in a heartfelt and appropriate way. After I discovered Wanda and Gypsy, I agreed!

I know, Bistra, in your comments regarding your art for Dario and the Whale that as soon as you get a manuscript images start to form in your mind like frames of a film. Was it the same for Elephants Walk Together? Did you imagine the elephants first or the scenes in which they are placed?Bistra: That's right. I can't seem to read a text without my visual thinking being switched on. Sometimes, it's just a word that can kick things off. I often know exactly how I'd like an illustration to look, however sometimes I'll just go with the flow and let the work emerge from the sketches.Getting the characters right is very important. They guide you through the story. In this book my challenge was to create two elephants of the same species that are distinguishable from one another. In the illustrations they differ slightly in colour and Precious has freckles on her trunk, whereas Baba has them only on her ears.What is the medium you used for the artwork, Bistra?

Bistra: I used acrylic paints as I do in most of my art.

Would you talk a little bit about your research process, Cheryl and Bistra, for Elephants Walk Together. Were you able to conduct most of it online? Did you speak or consult with elephant experts? Were you able to see elephants in person?

Cheryl: The HBO documentary highlights the poor treatment and difficult living conditions endured by captive elephants in North America. The material was so intense I spent months noodling over approaches and story lines before I realized the friendship of Precious and Baba offered the perfect vehicle for telling this story. After that, I began reading everything I could about the life and care of captive elephants, including psychological studies, the use of training devices like bullhooks, medical reports, and articles about poaching and conservation efforts. I relied heavily on the PAWS’s website and their suggested reading material, as well as information published online by metropolitan zoos and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an organization devoted to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education and recreation. I even traced the individual histories of Wanda and Gypsy in the Asian Elephant North American Region Studbook—an online publication that strives to provide complete and accurate origin and transfer data about all Asian elephants held in zoos and private collections. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet the elephants myself.

Bistra: I actually first got acquainted with elephants as a little girl, during an extended stay in India. I still remember being in awe of these funny-looking giants. And then, years later, I went to the zoo to sketch elephants for a University assignment. Observing a subject in real life and its natural habitat is the best visual research method. That is not always an option obviously, but luckily there is a wealth of information online on elephants nowadays. I looked through a large number of pictures and some videos to acquaint myself better with elephant appearance and personality. And I made a lot of sketches.

With the reading of each new article or book, my fascination continues to grow regarding the emotions displayed by animals. Their connections to each other and to humans in their lives are extraordinary. Do you Cheryl or Bistra have another story about elephants which you find intriguing? About any other animals?

Cheryl: Elephants are so intriguing, and so human-like in their family connections, interaction, grief, and care-giving that I find myself sharing videos of elephants on social media whenever possible. My current focus and writing efforts, however, have shifted to another fascinating, endangered species—wolves!

Bistra: I think stories like this one teach us to be more aware and accepting of others, be that people or animals. We share this earth with so many amazing creatures. We should learn to be more respectful of what we don't understand or know little of. How we treat one another is what distinguishes us.

Would you speak a little bit about the particular illustration on the cover, Bistra? Why did you choose to show the elephants as older adults rather than as babies in the wild? Did this cover go through many revisions?Bistra: Baby elephants are adorable, but on the book cover I wanted to show the passage of time and also suggest that the elephants go through a lot of trials and tribulations. They are symbolically leaving hard times behind them and walking towards freedom and sunnier skies, together. This was my concept from the start and the final art matches my initial sketch.

I was wondering Cheryl about your impression when you saw the front cover illustration for the first time? Cheryl: Quite simply, I fell in love. With their pink and gray skin tones and trumpeting trunks, the elephants look ready to march off the page. In one illustration, Bistra captured the soul of an extraordinary story. The interior art amazes as well.

Now we readers need to wait for the release date on October 5, 2017 to discover the story of two remarkable elephants, Precious and Baba, in Elephants Walk Together.

Cheryl Lawton Malone and Bistra Masseva have my sincerest thanks for creating this book which will certainly increase readers’ appreciation of the marvelous creatures we call elephants.Started in 2012 for the past five years around the globe we have been celebrating World Elephant Dayon August 12th. You can learn more about how PAWS views this event here and be sure to visit the PAWS's section dedicated to the elephants.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Individuals who are avid fishermen and fisherwomen for sport or livelihood all have an one-that-got-away tale. They remember the exact date and time of day. They can tell you if the water was like glass, rippling, choppy or rocky with waves. They remember if the air felt cool or hot on their faces, or if they could smell smoke from burning campfires, rain on the way or salt, lots of salt. If birds were calling, they can still hear that sound. If the sky was awash in the colors of sunrise or sunset, crystal blue or gray with clouds, they can see it in every detail. These people can bring you back into those experienced moments.

The voice of a fictional character Ishmael, a crew member aboard the ship, Pequod, led by Captain Ahab, in the book Moby-Dick by Herman Melville revolves around the pursuit of a huge white whale that cannot be caught and killed. This is an epic one-that-got-away story of adventure. Mighty Moby (Little, Brown And Company, August 1, 2017) presented to readers by author Barbara DaCosta and illustrator Ed Young is inspired by this classic piece of American literature.

"Three long years we've been at sea,Homeward bound we want to be,A-sailing, sailing, a-sailing-oh..."
Though home is where these whalers want to be, their captain seeks revenge. He will not stop until they sight the monstrous whale. The words ring out

"There she blows!"
The captain shouts out in determination at his enemy. He urges his men to get in the boats. They must rid the ocean of this menace. They row quickly and quietly to position themselves near the beast.

A harpoon flies through the air. Will the captain strike a deadly blow? The harpoon holds with the whale dragging the boat, leaping up and then, down...down...down. The men in the other boats wait in fear.

A mountain of water erupts as the gigantic whale rises from the deep. WAIT! The story has to continue! Perhaps it will progress or start over again with a slight shift in the plot. Nevertheless another captain has spoken and a crew member responds in agreement and with respect.

Taking actual words from Moby-Dick with the exception of one (We are challenged to guess that one word.), Barbara DaCostawrote this text employing several writing techniques found in the original classic. The phrases in italics at the beginning and end of the story can be sung like sea chanteys or ballads. This gives the excursion, the mission of vengeance, authenticity.

Using a blend of dialogue and narrative the sentences string together elevating the tension. We feel the whalers' worry, the captain's anger and the whale's determination to thwart its predator again. This is a marvelous prelude to the surprising twist at the end. Here is a sample passage.

"Shh! There he is," the captain whispered."Row quiet...Row fast...Hold steady now---"
You can feel your pulse quicken when you look at the unfolded dust jacket. The color palette of black and hues of red continues to the edges of the flaps. The print is in red. The outrage of the whale is evident as it climbs to the surface of the ocean. To the left, on the back, an outline of a ship in trouble is almost glowing among the flaming color. The book case is awash in the same shades. On the front the perspective of the whale is closer with the ship superimposed on the back portion near the tail.

The opening and closing endpapers in tones of cream and tan looks like swirls of water. In the upper right-hand corner the ship hangs, almost in balance. Stretching across the verso and title pages the body of the whale provides a background for the text. With a page turn we see a black canvas with three sailors dancing and singing the three opening lines.

Ed Young's cut-paper collage is stunning. Each image spans two pages. When the whale is sighted and the peg-legged captain shouts out his warning, you can actually feel the movement of the ship on the waves. With ease and great skill Ed Young moves from a close point-of-view of the whalers getting in the boats with harpoons and ropes to a majestic scene of the whale on the expanse of sea with moonlight glittering on the water. The small boats and men are moving in close to it.

One of my favorite of several illustrations is when the whale dives into the ocean with the harpoon, rope and the captain trailing behind. It is one of six vertical pictures. In the upper left-hand corner the small captain (in comparison to the whale) is clinging to the rope. Amid a blend of greens and blacks, water and kelp, the whale dives. All we see is the enormous red tail and lower portion of the body.

With each page turn of this book, the art and words will have you either reading silently in awe or gasping aloud in appreciation. The superb pacing employed by Barbara DaCosta and Ed Young in Mighty Moby is astounding making the conclusion simply the best. I encourage you to get a copy for your professional bookshelves and one for your personal collections, too.

To discover more about both Barbara DaCosta and Ed Young and their other work please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites. A website for this title can be found here. It has information about the process, news and reviews, resources, FAQ section and contact information. Author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson highlights this title at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Ed Young visits All The Wonders, Episode 318 podcast with teacher librarian Matthew Winner.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

For the past five years I have been fortunate to be one of hundreds of people who can hardly wait for this date to arrive. It's when book lovers and readers participate in the Picture Book 10 for 10. Co-founders of the event Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere have created a community of those who wish to list their current top ten favorites in general or by a theme. Cathy explains it here.

This will be my sixth year generating a list of favorite books around a common theme. In my first year I selected ten plus two of my favorite alphabet books from my collection. Year two had me unable to select only ten of my top picture books from my canine collection, so Xena my wonderful Labrador retriever picked the titles. That year I used an application called Learni.st to host the choices. This can now only be accessed by using the app rather than the website. If you use the app Learni.st and search under Xena the book list, August Ten for Ten Xena's Favorite Dog Books, will appear. As a companion to the first list I chose counting and number books in 2014. In 2015 my books revolved around bedtime, sleep and sweet dreams. Last year I decided to generate a more unusual list showcasing robots as main characters.

School has started for many educators; others will be following in the next several weeks. One of the most lasting things we do in our classrooms is to build relationships. A gift we give to our students is to show them the value of true friends. Our authors and illustrators address this very real need with beauty, truth and sometimes laughter. Here are my top ten plus one. (This was exceedingly difficult.)

Sometimes it's more important to feel safe. Sometimes it's more important to do what you can when you can. This book is about trust; leaving safety and doing more than you think you can to be where you want to be.

Every day...Snail sits in one special spot, waiting for Fish to come home with a story.
The playful pal and comfortable companion are delightfully depicted in this title. When it comes to friendship, living the story is much better than listening to the story; your world grows, your spirit soars and your heart is brimming with happiness. Oh, let me tell you; this book is meant to be shared...again and again. This would be lots of fun as reader's theater or at the very least be sure to use a special voice for each of the characters. An Educator's Guide to the Works of Deborah Freedmanis now available.
2. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Little, Brown and Company, April 4, 2014) written and illustrated by Dan Santat.

Nearly ten years ago author illustrator Dan Santat celebrated his first book's birthday; The Guild of Geniuses (Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.) was released in November of 2004. In the intervening time I have watched him perfect his distinctive workmanship in writing and illustrating. His visuals are brimming with a colorful vibrancy and his particular brand of humor. His newest book, different from the others, which he both wrote and pictured, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Little, Brown and Company, April 4, 2014) came out two days ago. It's already left a huge print on my heart. It's a love letter; perhaps to his eldest son for whom the book is dedicated or to all those seeking their most remembered friend.

He was born on an island far away where imaginary friends were created.
This book is beautiful like any and all of your favorite things. Read this to everyone. I know, in my heart of hearts, you will be asked to share this story over and over. There are many, many extras to use with this book in your classrooms.

Being a smaller person allows you to have a tried and true empathy for all the students who pass through your classroom at the elementary school level. In your heart of hearts you understand how a taller person can glance around a room or scene missing someone as if they are invisible, not necessarily because of age but because of height. Debut author illustrator Mike Curato gives us a peek into the world of a big-hearted being in Little Elliot, Big City (Henry Holt and Company, August 26, 2014).

Little Elliot was an elephant.
I predict a HUGE gathering of readers of all ages (and sizes) will continue to fall in love with this elephant and his mouse friend. Be sure to check out the companion titles, Little Elliot, Big Family, Little Elliot, Big Fun and Little Elliot, Fall Friends.
4. Sleepover with Beatrice & Bear(Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, August 7, 2014) written and illustrated by Monica Carnesi

Spending the night with a friend is one of those events when the realization exceeds the anticipation. Those treasured hours chatting, laughing, telling stories, watching television or movies or playing games are sacred childhood memories. In Sleepover with Beatrice & Bear (Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, August 7, 2014) written and illustrated by Monica Carnesi a solution is sought by one kind and clever friend.

Beatrice and Bear met on a clear spring day.
I can't imagine a collection of friendship books without this title. It is one of those huggable books. Beside friendship it could be used to discuss hibernation, the seasons, perseverance and ingenuity. Get out your bear, rabbit and squirrel puppets for a story hour filled with joy and warmth.

5. Stick and Stone(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 7, 2015) written by Beth Ferry with illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld

Sticks and stones can be used to make homes. Stones and sticks can be used to shape words in dirt or sand. Sticks and stones can be used to channel water. Stones and sticks can be used to bring imagined miniature worlds into reality in fields, woodlands or even backyards. With skill they can supply warmth through fire. They hold, hide, mark, filter, and form. They are indispensable.

Together they are better. Stick and Stone (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 7, 2015) written by Beth Ferry with illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld introduces us to a stick and a stone who discover the benefits of not being alone. They fashion a friendship, firm and true.

Stick.Stone.
This book is a gentle, rhythmic ode to the strength of shared experiences; to having someone who cares about you as much as you care about them. The text and pictures mirror the relationship of the characters, friends to the end. This is a wonderful read aloud generating laughter, sighs and discussion. It would be fun to think of all the uses for sticks and stones. I wonder how many phrases with sticks and stones can be listed;

Between a rock and a hard placeOut on a limbBranching outStick in the mud...
6. Be A Friend(Bloomsbury Children's Books, January 5, 2015) written and illustrated by Salina Yoon

Be A Friend (Bloomsbury Children's Books, January 5, 2015) written and illustrated by Salina Yoon like these exceptional children is a present for her readers It's a token to be treasured, representing the wisdom and worth of walking this planet with respect and appreciation for others. It asks us to wear our differences seen on the outside and those we harbor inside with courage.

DENNIS was an ordinary boy...

...who expressed himself in

EXTRAORDINARY ways.
Not only are you going to read this title over and over again at one sitting, you are going to want to read it to others. The combined pacing of the text and pictures is superb; a tale about needing a friend and being a friend. If you use it in a storytime make sure to have red hearts to give to your listeners.

With humans it is sometimes a different kind of survival; a fine line we walk in choosing which paths to take, wanting to belong but maintaining our individuality. Nerdy Birdy (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, September 22, 2015) written by Aaron Reynolds with pictures by Matt Davies follows a bird seeking to find his place among his feathered fellows.

This is Nerdy Birdy.His glasses are too big.His wings are too small.
If you have not read this book yet, make sure you do so as soon as possible. If you've already read it, go now and read it again, preferably aloud. There is nothing better than laughing and learning at the same time.

We may discover again and again the inhabitants of other outer worlds share some common characteristics with us. Best Frints in the Whole Universe (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, July 5, 2016) written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis explores the relationship of two individuals from a unique planet. These buddies boisterously proclaim their affection amid their antics.

Yelfred and Omek have been best frints since they were little blobbies.
With every reading of this title your happiness will grow larger and longer. These two pals seems to be at odds as much as they are in sync but they help us to realize no matter where you reside the essence of friendship can withstand anything, even the schmackle of a spossip. It also helps to have one special item handy at all times. (You'll have to read the book to discover this valid piece of advice.)

When you read titles such as A Home for Bird, Bear Has a Story to Tell, Hello, My Name is Ruby, Sebastian and the Balloon, and Lenny & Lucyeach focusing on compassion and friendship, each written by the same author as the dedication shown above, you know his newest title will give you those very same things. It will encourage you to look at your world with intention. Samson in the Snow (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, September 27, 2016)written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead is a gentle story wrapped in a timeless truth.

ON SUNNY DAYS Samson tended his dandelion patch.Samson in the Snow is a moving, marvelous tale of friendship. It softly surrounds you. It is the kind of story you want to share repeatedly. This book is a gem; like finding dandelions in a snow storm.

If an extraterrestrial happens to crash his ship in your yard, you might feel as though you are dreaming but this is exactly what happens in Your Alien(Sterling Children's Books, August 4, 2015) written by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Goro Fujita. A fast friendship is formed between the human boy and the small green alien child. Fortunately for readers the best buddies are reunited in Your Alien Returns (Sterling Children's Books, October 4, 2016). Space contains no boundaries when love fills two hearts.

When you least expect it, something special will get your attention.Your alien will be back.
This book clearly shines a light on the soul of friendship. Differences in appearance, food, games, customs and where you live don't matter to friends. The most important thing is each other. This is an uplifting tale and a stellar companion to the first title. You will be asked to read them both over and over again.

11. That Neighbor Kid(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May 9, 2017) written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares
Even if you have a fear of heights, once you arrive and enter everything changes. The small space, four walls with perhaps a single door, a single window and a roof to keep out the weather, is a place where memories lasting a lifetime are created. Wishes are spoken aloud. Promises are made. Secrets are voiced.

When this haven is constructed by hand and with help, its value increases. That Neighbor Kid (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May 9, 2017) written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares is about the art of reaching out and receiving. Taking chances can lead to a far greater joy than believed is possible.

There is a timeless quality to the story and the portrayal of the characters in Daniel Miyares's That Neighbor Kid. Even the title supplies wonder; is it the girl or the boy who is the neighbor kid? I can't imagine a personal or professional bookshelf without a copy of this book.

If my wonderful sweet Xena the Warrior Princess, a chocolate Labrador retriever, were still here I know she would pick this book.

I Got a New Friend(Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, May 23, 2017) written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edward

Is there anything better than watching children and puppies playing together? The rest of the world falls away as they focus on each other. They seem to embrace life with pure bliss and complete interest. It's as if they are connected by an invisible thread.

They are the ultimate example of "love at first sight." I Got a New Friend (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, May 23, 2017) written and illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards celebrates this mutual affection. As soon as you open the book it reaches out and envelopes you.

I got a new friend.
Will this book make a great read aloud? Yes! Will this book be a bedtime title read repeatedly? Yes! This book is brimming with exuberance. I cannot imagine a professional or personal bookshelf without a copy. I would pair this with Our Very Own Dog.

My new furry friend, my wild child, my eleven month old chocolate Labrador retriever, Mulan thinks this book is a fantastic title about friendship.

When a dog and their human connect, it's indescribably beautiful. If you are one of those humans, each day you look at your dog thinking how fortunate you are. Surely this is a miracle this wild thing chooses to be with me.

It's as if two separate souls become inseparable. As a human, whether you realize it or not, you have become a member of a pack. Your dog's loyalty is one of the most humbling experiences you will ever have. Hello Goodbye Dog (Roaring Brook Press, July 25, 2017) written by Maria Gianferrari with illustrations by Patrice Barton is the story of two hearts full of love, the one for the other.

"Hello, Moose!" said Zara.There was nothing Moose loved morethan hello.
As you read this story your heart fills with laughter and lightness. Hello Goodbye Dog gives readers an up-close look at the desire of a dog to be with her human always and of her human's loving response. Children and adults alike will enjoy seeing themselves in this story. You will most definitely want a copy on your professional and personal bookshelves.

I am wishing everyone one of their best school years ever. I hope this list of books contributes to building lifelong friendships.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Water levels in the Great Lakes have been on the rise in the last several years after severe lows ended. A combination of circumstances leads to a prediction of fifteen trillion gallons of water being addedto the Great Lakes by the summer of 2017. Although water levels earlier this summer were close to breaking records (and did) and the levels remain high they are not expected to surpass records set more than thirty years ago for highest recorded monthly mean in the month of August.

What has prompted this research in Great Lakes water levels? As a lifelong resident of Michigan I have seen the rise and fall of the water levels from one extreme to the other and quite frankly we have had so little rain the past six weeks the leaves on trees are turning yellow and dropping but a new title in the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science 2 series heightened my curiosity. Droughts (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, August 1, 2017) written by Melissa Stewart with illustrations by Andre Ceolin showcases and defines droughts. They can and do happen anywhere on our planet.

When will it rain? That was the question on everyone's mind. It had been weeks and weeks since the last real storm.
When this occurs with so little rain (or lack of snowfall the previous winter) and the ground hardens it is a drought. Droughts can last for weeks or even years. The lack of water is hard on all life as the levels in lakes, rivers and streams drops. While it makes sense for droughts to take place in dry climates, they can happen in wet climates like rain forests too. When precipitation is less an area is in danger of drought.

Our water is constantly cycling from liquid to vapor and back to liquid again. The oceans hold most of our planet's water. If you want to know how precious the fresh water available is, try the jug and cup activity noted in the narrative. It's shocking how little we really have.

A drought is not an overnight experience. It is a slow but steady process. The results are deadly. With so little moisture the chance of wildfires and dust storms increases. The food chain which includes humans suffers.

The key to survival during a drought is to plan ahead. In sites more prone to drought, people plant accordingly. Scientists monitor from space, check our oceans, and rainfall levels. Governments have plans in place in case of this kind of event, asking and requiring conservation of water. The more we work together, the longer we will live together during the fluctuations in our water supply.

Although presented for younger readers when Melissa Stewart writes everyone learns. She begins by teaching us about what defines a drought and where they can transpire. And it's not just about rainfall but snowfall too! Moving into the water cycle she then reinforces the importance of protecting the freshwater available. This further stresses the value in knowing about, preparing for and surviving a drought. With care Melissa explains about the consequences of a drought...for all animals and plants.

In addition to the main narrative Did You Know? sections provide more fascinating information. Also two activities expand our thinking about the world's water supply and how we collect data. This entire volume contains exactly what we need to understand expressed in conversational text. Here is a sample passage.

Wind picks up the dry, loose soil and blows it through the air. Sometimes a giant dust stormforms, causing the sky to go dark. Dirt andpebbles pelt people's bodies. The dust can buryroads and clog car engines.

The image on the front of the dust jacket and book case instantly brings to mind the hot, dry days of summer but it also serves to remind people a drought can take place anywhere, even an area normally considered a wetland. By including the human, her canine companion, the rabbit and squirrel it exemplifies that droughts affect everyone. To the left, on the back, other titles in the series for levels one and two are showcased.

The opening and closing endpapers of crisp white, change to pages with a single, small illustration of rocks in water on a white background and then to two pages of parched, cracked land with dry leaves blowing across it. Two pages are dedicated to a picture of three people looking over a dry desert landscape under a glaring sun for the title. Artist Andre Ceolinused Adobe Photoshop to create these digital illustrations. His use of light and shadow is excellent.

A flow is supplied between the double-page spreads, pages crossing the gutter to generate columns and single pages by including the same individuals and the dog in multiple pictures. The children and adults shown come from many ethnic backgrounds. The scientists shown are both men and women.

One of my favorite of many illustrations shows three children and their dog enjoying a day at the lake. A dock extends into the water with a girl sitting on it. A boy is doing a cannonball from the dock. Another boy is already swimming in the lake. The dog is happily floating in an inner tube. This picture shows an area with the necessary amount of water as opposed to the opposite picture showing the same scene during a drought.

For those school and classroom libraries with titles in this series already you will want to add Droughts written by Melissa Stewart with illustrations by Andre Ceolin. For those bookshelves, professional and personal, without any titles in this series, I can think of no better book to start your collection than this one. It is important and timely. At the close of the narrative Melissa Stewart has several additional activities to try, a glossary, a special website and five hints on how to save water.

To discover more about Melissa Stewart and Andre Ceolin and their other work, please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names. Melissa Stewart has a blog in which she talks about this book here and here. To view interior pages in this title please visit the publisher's website. Here is a video about a dust storm which moved into Phoenix, Arizona.

To see the other titles selected by bloggers participating in the 2017 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge hosted by educator Alyson Beecher, visit Kid Lit Frenzy.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

If you take a moment or two to watch birds, they have valuable lessons to teach us. After watering flowers in an otherwise rainless few weeks, they will gather to feast on worms among the wet areas. They will enjoy this meal together, robins and mourning doves. Walking down a road or street, looking skyward, you might see a different story unfold. A group of smaller birds will be chasing and diving after a larger bird. The large bird has been making a pest of itself probably around a nest.

Companionship is built on similar values; mutual respect for differences allows for shared time together. Two unlikely friends introduced to readers in Nerdy Birdy (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, September 22, 2015) written by Aaron Reynolds with pictures by Matt Davies have returned in Nerdy Birdy Tweets (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, August 1, 2017). The lure of social media comes at a price.

This is Nerdy Birdy.Nerdy Birdy loves playing video games.This is Vulture.Vulture thinks video games are boring.Vulture loves snacking ondead things.
It's hard to believe a small, glasses-wearing bird is best friends with a looming vulture but it's true. Most of all they enjoy teasing each other about their lunches, making silly faces and taking pictures of those silly faces. As strange as this relationship is, it works until one day Nerdy Birdy starts to play a new game called Tweetster. Tweetster involves getting friends online. These friends can or cannot send you messages, play games with you and exchange pictures. To Nerdy Bird's amazement he soon has hundreds of friends; including a flamingo, an ostrich and even a puffin living in Iceland.

To Vulture this is boring with a capital B. No matter what she does, even pointing out how she could eat Nerdy Birdy in one big gulp, Nerdy Birdy is hooked on Tweetster. Vulture flies away. Hours later Nerdy Birdy notices.

In an effort to continue their friendship Vulture joins Tweetster. All is well but Nerdy Birdy makes a mistake, sending something to his Tweetster friends without asking Vulture. Vulture flies away again and does not come back.

An entire week passes and there is no sign of Vulture. Nerdy Birdy seeks helps and gets startling answers. Sometimes the best thing is right in front of you. A flight focuses on friendship. Compromise isn't everything, it's the only thing. Tweet! Tweet!

When author Aaron Reynolds spins this tale of friendship he does so with a sure knowledge of the essence of friends forged in real life as opposed to those garnered only online. With a sense of humor he points to the chief characteristics of Nerdy Birdy and Vulture, but then follows with those three activities they relish together. When Nerdy Birdy is captivated by Tweetster, again Aaron uses the technique of three. Within the story line as a whole a rhythm is generated with actions and conversations in sets of three (or more).

In keeping with the flow of the narrative Nerdy Birdy's mistake becomes a gentle lesson on social media manners as well as reminding readers how friends need to think before they act. Aaron also covers what a real friend will do to maintain a relationship. Here is a sample passage.

"Let's dosomethingdifferent.""In a minute.""This is not fun.""Did you realize I can fit your wholebody in my beak?I could eat you inone bite if I wanted.""Mm-hm. That'snice."
When you look at Nerdy Birdy playing Tweetster on the front of the matching dust jacket and book case, you know he's hooked. His entire focus is on the screen; his eyes, tiny wings and whole body give us that signal. It's a wonderful design element to have a portion of the title as a text message on the new game. To the left, on the back, a disgusted Vulture is glaring at Nerdy Birdy. Her neck is extended downward and her large wings are placed on her hips.

The opening and closing endpapers are a dusty blue color. On the title page beneath the text, Nerdy Birdy is tap, tap, tapping on the screen. Rendered in pen and ink and watercolor on paper the illustrations by Matt Daviesare filled with subtle and overt humor; Vulture is carrying an Official Hello Bir.... Lunchb... with a large bone sticking out of it, Nerdy Birdy eats Gluten-, Flavor-, Texture- & Excitement-Free Bread Crumbs, and on the screen of the game a bird is squawking Friend Notification. This Friend Notification is used as a lightly patterned background on four pages.

What readers will enjoy most are the facial expressions on Vulture and Nerdy Bird. Sometimes they are looking at each other but other times they are looking right at the reader. They are burst-out-loud hilarious. For those moments of increased emphasis, Matt switches out the perspective bringing us close to the characters. The sizes of the images are altered to enhance the pacing; double-page spreads, a group of smaller pictures on a single page, an illustration set in a large visual or framed panels like in a graphic novel.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on a single page. Nerdy Birdy is standing still, engrossed in the game on his screen. Above him is Vulture. All we see are her eyes and beak. The beak is open and placed on either side of Nerdy Birdy. She is trying to make a point and he is completely clueless. She is looking at us as if to say, "Can you believe this?"

This companion title to Nerdy Birdy, Nerdy Birdy Tweets written by Aaron Reynolds with pictures by Matt Davies, is a humorous and worthy narrative about friendship in light of the use of social media. It is about being "present" when you are with friends. It is about being sensitive to the feelings of all our friends, virtual and those we can easily see in our daily lives. This book is definitely recommended for your professional and personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Aaron Reynolds and Matt Davies and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites. If you wish to see interior images, follow this link to the publisher's website. Please refer to the post about the first collaboration to read a fun interview between Aaron Reynolds and Matt Davies.

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About Me

I began teaching as a school librarian in 1973. It has been the single best decision that I have ever made. Every morning during the school year I can hardly wait to see my students to explore what we can discover together.